Therapeutic lounge chair and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic lounge chair having a head rest portion that is vertically adjustable relative to a lower-body supporting portion and defines a substantially oval-shaped opening dimensioned to receive a human face when a person is lying on the lounge chair in a prone position in order to eliminate the strain on the spine and neck of a person.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to a corresponding provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 60/258,907, filed Dec. 27, 2000 in the name ofthe applicant of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to lounge chairs and, morespecifically, to a therapeutic lounge chair having a head rest thatdefines a substantially oval-shaped opening dimensioned to receive ahuman face when a person is lying on the lounge chair in a proneposition, thus alleviating any strain on the neck and spine that canresult from a person having to twist one's neck to one side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Lounge chairs are a popular kind of outdoor furniture, often usedby those wishing to lie out in the sun. A lounge chair is generally madeup of two parts; a longer, body-supporting portion, and a shorter headsupport portion. Usually, the head support portion is verticallyadjustable relative to the body-supporting portion so that a personlying in a supine position can raise their upper body relative to theirlower body. It is often the case, however, that both portions of alounge chair remain down in a horizontal position, parallel to theground. In this way, a person can lie flat either in a prone position ora supine position. Many people who want to get a tan, for instance, willlie for a pre-determined amount of time on their back and then for thesame amount of time on their stomach so as to receive an even tan overtheir entire body. When lying in a prone position on a lounge chair,however, a person must turn their head to the left or right in order toavoid trauma to the face. This rotation of the head causes the cervicalvertebrae to twist to one side, putting strain on the spine, as well ason the muscles of the neck. Additionally, people who tan are forced toexpose one side of the face to the sun while the other side is concealedagainst the head rest of the lounge chair, creating an uneven tan.

[0004] Specially designed tables for massage and physical therapy havebeen designed to include a substantially oval-shaped opening for aperson's face. However, these tables, unlike lounge chairs, do not havea vertically adjustable head rest portion, to allow a person to sit upwhen lying in a supine position. Additionally, such massage tables aredesigned for indoor use, unlike lounge chairs which must withstand harshoutdoor conditions.

[0005] A need therefore existed for a therapeutic lounge chair having ahead rest portion that is vertically adjustable relative to a lower-bodysupporting portion and defines a substantially oval-shaped openingdimensioned to receive a human face when a person is lying on the loungechair in a prone position in order to eliminate strain on the spine andneck of a person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a therapeuticlounge chair having a head rest portion that is vertically adjustablerelative to a lower-body supporting portion and defines a substantiallyoval-shaped opening dimensioned to receive a human face so that a personcan lie on the lounge chair in a prone position without having to twisthis or her neck to one side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, atherapeutic lounge chair is disclosed, comprising, in combination, alower-body supporting portion having a foot end and a head end, and ahead rest portion coupled to the head end of the lower-body supportingportion, the head rest portion defines a substantially oval-shapedopening dimensioned to receive a human face when a person is lying onthe lounge chair in a prone position, the head rest portion isvertically adjustable relative to the lower-body supporting portion ofthe lounge chair.

[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, amethod for maintaining spinal alignment in a lounge chair while in aprone position is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps ofproviding a lower-body supporting portion having a foot end and a headend, a head rest portion coupled to the head end of the lower-bodysupporting portion, the head rest portion defines a substantiallyoval-shaped opening dimensioned to receive a human face when a person islying on the lounge chair in a prone position, the head rest portion isvertically adjustable relative to the lower-body supporting portion ofthe lounge chair, and lying in a prone position on the lounge chair withthe face proximate the substantially oval-shaped opening of the headrest portion.

[0009] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective, fragmentary view of the preferredembodiment of the therapeutic lounge chair of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a top, fragmentary view of the therapeutic lounge chairof FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of the therapeutic lounge chair of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the substantially oval-shapedinflatable pillow of the therapeutic lounge chair of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of a horizontal supportstrap coupled to the frame of the body-supporting portion of thetherapeutic lounge chair of FIG. 2, taken along line 5-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, reference number 10 refers generally tothe preferred embodiment of the therapeutic lounge chair of the presentinvention. The therapeutic lounge chair 10 comprises a lower-bodysupporting portion 12 having a foot end 13 and a head end 15. Thetherapeutic lounge chair 10 further comprises a head rest portion 14coupled to the head end 15 of the lower-body supporting portion 12. Thehead rest portion 14 is vertically adjustable relative to the lower-bodysupporting portion 12 of the therapeutic lounge chair 10. In thepreferred embodiment, the head rest portion 14 is vertically adjustablebetween a range of motion of 95 degrees and 180 degrees relative to thelower-body supporting portion 12, although it should be understood thatsubstantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configurationof the therapeutic lounge chair 10 in which the range of motiondeviates, even substantially, from the preferred range of motion ineither direction.

[0016] The head rest portion 14 defines a substantially oval-shapedopening 16 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) dimensioned to receive a humanface (not shown) when a person (not shown) is lying on the therapeuticlounge chair 10 in a prone position. In the preferred embodiment, thetherapeutic lounge chair 10 further comprises a substantiallyoval-shaped inflatable pillow 18. The inflatable pillow 18 defines ahollow portion in a center area thereof and is dimensioned to receive ahuman face. The inflatable pillow 18 is preferably coupled to the headrest portion 14 proximate the substantially oval-shaped opening 16 sothat both the inflatable pillow 18 and the substantially oval-shapedopening 16 are in alignment. The inflatable pillow 18 may be comprisedof rubber, vinyl, plastic or any other material that is inflatable andstrong enough to support the weight of the face of a person. Preferably,the head rest portion 14 and the inflatable pillow 18 form a one-pieceassembly, although it should be clearly understood that substantialbenefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of thetherapeutic lounge chair 10 in which the inflatable pillow 18 isseparately attached to the head rest portion 14. The inflatable pillow18 provides additional comfort and support to the face of a person whois lying on the therapeutic lounge chair 10 in a prone position.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the inflatable pillow 18 comprisesan air receiving valve 22 dimensioned to receive air to inflate theinflatable pillow 18. Preferably, the air receiving valve 22 isdimensioned to receive air from the mouth of a person, although itshould be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derivedfrom an alternative configuration of the inflatable pillow 18 in whichthe air receiving valve 22 is dimensioned to receive air from apressurized air source. While, in the preferred embodiment, theinflatable pillow 18 comprises an air receiving valve 22, it should beclearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from analternative configuration of the inflatable pillow 18 in which there isno air receiving valve 22, such as in a pillow that is pre-inflated andhermetically sealed.

[0018] While, in the preferred embodiment, the therapeutic lounge chair10 comprises a substantially oval-shaped inflatable pillow 18 it shouldbe clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from analternative configuration of the therapeutic lounge chair 10 in whichthere is no inflatable pillow 18, so long as a person's face can rest inthe substantially oval-shaped opening 18.

[0019] The lower-body supporting portion 12 and the head rest portion 14preferably comprise a tubular or rectangular frame 20 made of a rigidmaterial such as plastic or metal, although substantial benefit could bederived from alternative configurations of the therapeutic lounge chair10, so long as the lower-body supporting portion 12 and the head restportion 14 can support the weight of a person. Additionally, thelower-body supporting portion 12 and the head rest portion 14 may becomprised of either horizontal straps coupled at opposite ends of theframe 20, cushions (not shown), plastic slats or some other materialstrong enough to support the weight of a person.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the therapeutic lounge chair 10preferably comprises a face rest cover 24 coupled to the head restportion 14 and dimensioned to cover the substantially oval-shapedopening 16. The purpose of the face rest cover 24 is to allow a personwho wishes to lie on the therapeutic lounge chair 10 in a supineposition to be able to have support for the back of their head. The facerest cover 24 may be used to cover only the substantially oval-shapedopening 16 if the therapeutic lounge chair 10 lacks an inflatable pillow18, or the face rest cover 24 may be used to cover both thesubstantially oval-shaped opening 16 and the inflatable pillow 18 if thetherapeutic lounge chair 10 has an inflatable pillow 18. The face restcover 24 must be constructed of material sufficiently strong to supportthe weight of the head of a person. The face rest cover 24 is preferablycoupled at one of its ends to one side of the head rest portion 14 andthen the uncoupled end of the face rest cover 24 can then be attached tothe other side of the head rest portion 14 to cover the substantiallyoval-shaped opening 16. While, in the preferred embodiment, thetherapeutic lounge chair 10 comprises a face rest cover 24, it should beclearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from analternative embodiment of the therapeutic lounge chair 10 in which thereis no face rest cover 24, for example if the inflatable pillow 18 isused to also support the back of a person's head.

[0021] While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A therapeutic lounge chair comprising, in combination: alower-body supporting portion having a foot end and a head end; and ahead rest portion coupled to said head end of said lower-body supportingportion, said head rest portion defines a substantially oval-shapedopening dimensioned to receive a human face when a person is lying onsaid lounge chair in a prone position, said head rest portion isvertically adjustable relative to said lower-body supporting portion ofsaid lounge chair.
 2. The therapeutic lounge chair of claim 1 furthercomprising a substantially oval-shaped inflatable pillow defining ahollow portion in a center area thereof and dimensioned to receive ahuman face, said substantially oval-shaped inflatable pillow is coupledto said head rest portion proximate said substantially oval-shapedopening so that said hollow area of said inflatable pillow and saidsubstantially oval-shaped opening of said head rest are aligned with oneanother.
 3. The therapeutic lounge chair of claim 2 wherein saidsubstantially oval-shaped inflatable pillow and said head rest portionof said lounge chair form a one-piece assembly.
 4. The therapeuticlounge chair of claim 2 wherein said inflatable pillow is comprised ofrubber.
 5. The therapeutic lounge chair of claim 2 wherein saidinflatable pillow is comprised of vinyl.
 6. The therapeutic lounge chairof claim 2 wherein said inflatable pillow comprises an air receivingvalve dimensioned to receive air from a mouth of a person in order toinflate said inflatable pillow.
 7. The therapeutic lounge chair of claim2 wherein said inflatable pillow comprises an air receiving valvedimensioned to receive air from a pressurized air source in order toinflate said inflatable pillow.
 8. The therapeutic lounge chair of claim1 further comprising a face rest cover coupled to said head rest portionand dimensioned to cover said substantially oval-shaped opening in orderto support a back portion of a head of a person when a person is lyingon said lounge chair in a supine position.
 9. The therapeutic loungechair of claim 2 further comprising a face rest cover coupled to saidhead rest portion and dimensioned to cover said substantiallyoval-shaped inflatable pillow in order to support a back portion of ahead of a person when a person is lying on said lounge chair in a supineposition.
 10. The therapeutic lounge chair of claim 1 wherein said headrest portion of said lounge chair is vertically adjustable between arange of motion of 95 degrees and 180 degrees relative to saidlower-body supporting portion of said lounge chair.
 11. A method formaintaining spinal alignment in a lounge chair while in a proneposition, comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing alower-body supporting portion; providing a head rest portion, said headrest portion defines a substantially oval-shaped opening dimensioned toreceive a human face when a person is lying on said lounge chair in aprone position, said head rest portion is vertically adjustable relativeto said lower-body supporting portion of said lounge chair; and lying ina prone position on said lounge chair with said face proximate saidsubstantially oval-shaped opening of said head rest portion.
 12. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: providing asubstantially oval-shaped inflatable pillow defining a hollow portion ina center area thereof and dimensioned to receive a human face, saidsubstantially oval-shaped inflatable pillow is coupled to said head restportion proximate said substantially oval-shaped opening so that saidhollow area of said inflatable pillow and said substantially oval-shapedopening of said head rest are aligned with one another; and lying in aprone position on said lounge chair with said face proximate saidinflatable pillow.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein said substantiallyoval-shaped inflatable pillow and said head rest portion of said loungechair form a one-piece assembly.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein saidinflatable material is comprised of rubber.
 15. The method of claim 11wherein said inflatable material is comprised of vinyl.
 16. The methodof claim 11 further comprising the steps of: providing an air receivingvalve coupled to said inflatable pillow and dimensioned to receive airfrom a mouth of a person in order to inflate said inflatable pillow; andblowing into said air receiving valve until said inflatable pillow isinflated.
 17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:providing an air receiving valve coupled to said inflatable pillow anddimensioned to receive air from a pressurized air source in order toinflate said inflatable pillow; and inflating said inflatable pillow byactivating a pressurized flow of air from a pressurized air source. 18.The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: providing a facerest cover coupled to said head rest portion and dimensioned to coversaid substantially oval-shaped opening in order to support a backportion of a head of a person when a person is lying on said loungechair in a supine position; and securing said face rest cover over saidsubstantially oval-shaped opening.
 19. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising the steps of: providing a face rest cover coupled to saidhead rest portion and dimensioned to cover said substantiallyoval-shaped inflatable pillow in order to support a back portion of ahead of a person when a person is lying on said lounge chair in a supineposition; and securing said face rest cover over said substantiallyoval-shaped inflatable pillow.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein saidhead rest portion of said lounge chair is vertically adjustable betweena range of motion of 95 degrees and 180 degrees relative to saidlower-body supporting portion of said lounge chair.